Today I'm going to share an easy tip for creating a fun effect at receptions using flash and slow shutter speed.
When shooting receptions, if my flash is the only light hitting the subject (if the house lights are low or off), I like to slow my shutter speed down to increase the exposure of ambient light in my shots. But you can also use this technique of dragging your shutter to create a sense of motion in your images.
In the above photo the bright light you see is my off-camera flash, but you can also create motion in the background of your shots when using only an on-camera flash. To do so, simply move your camera slightly while using a slow shutter speed and flash. The subject will be frozen but the background will blur slightly. (But remember this ONLY works if your flash is the main light hitting the subject. If the house lights are up or there is a spotlight on them, there will be ghosting or blurring.) My settings for the above photo were: ISO 1000, f4.0 1/15 sec.
Here's a couple other examples with my camera settings for each:
When shooting receptions, if my flash is the only light hitting the subject (if the house lights are low or off), I like to slow my shutter speed down to increase the exposure of ambient light in my shots. But you can also use this technique of dragging your shutter to create a sense of motion in your images.
In the above photo the bright light you see is my off-camera flash, but you can also create motion in the background of your shots when using only an on-camera flash. To do so, simply move your camera slightly while using a slow shutter speed and flash. The subject will be frozen but the background will blur slightly. (But remember this ONLY works if your flash is the main light hitting the subject. If the house lights are up or there is a spotlight on them, there will be ghosting or blurring.) My settings for the above photo were: ISO 1000, f4.0 1/15 sec.
Here's a couple other examples with my camera settings for each:
ISO 100 f2.8 1/15 sec.
ISO 100 f2.8 1/15 sec.
This technique is really ideally suited for receptions because it captures the energy and celebratory environment inherent in them. So get out there and try it! Crank your shutter speed down to both increase ambient light in your reception shots as well as to play with the effects of motion in your images. Just remember that if the room lights go up or another light hits your subject, your flash will no longer freeze the motion and you'll be forced to bring your shutter speed back up.
If you found this post helpful, and are interested in learning more, click here to opt-in for my free video series -- 6 Hacks to Eliminate Boring Low-Light Photos and Get You Creating Reception Images you LOVE! In it I share my best 6 tips for shooting with flash. If you are intimidated by flash and wanting to conquer it once and for all, this is a great place to start!
This technique is really ideally suited for receptions because it captures the energy and celebratory environment inherent in them. So get out there and try it! Crank your shutter speed down to both increase ambient light in your reception shots as well as to play with the effects of motion in your images. Just remember that if the room lights go up or another light hits your subject, your flash will no longer freeze the motion and you'll be forced to bring your shutter speed back up.
If you found this post helpful, and are interested in learning more, click here to opt-in for my free video series -- 6 Hacks to Eliminate Boring Low-Light Photos and Get You Creating Reception Images you LOVE! In it I share my best 6 tips for shooting with flash. If you are intimidated by flash and wanting to conquer it once and for all, this is a great place to start!
--------------------------
Equipment used for above photos:
Canon 5D Mark III // Canon 50mm 1.2 lens // Canon 24mm 1.4 lens // Canon 70-200 2.8 lens // 2 Canon 600EX-RT Speedlites // MagMod Bounce // 2 Battery Packs // Light Stand with umbrella bracket and cold shoe
Equipment used for above photos:
Canon 5D Mark III // Canon 50mm 1.2 lens // Canon 24mm 1.4 lens // Canon 70-200 2.8 lens // 2 Canon 600EX-RT Speedlites // MagMod Bounce // 2 Battery Packs // Light Stand with umbrella bracket and cold shoe
Comments
